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A/N: So, I have to be honest here, everyone. I had to break out the wine bottle to even begin to prepare to write the chapter, as well as the following one.
And let me tell you, I didn't even bother with a glass. And no, I'm not trashy. At least that's all that one can assume about oneself. Anywhooo… if you read about something that is a bit 'out there'...
Blame the wine.
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Also, I know this has nothing to do with fanfiction or Harry Potter, but please subscribe to Pewdiepie on Youtube. We need to defeat B-Series and keep a corporation from being the face of Youtube. #ImDoingMyPart
Yes, I'm nine years old.
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Chapter Fifty-Three
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As soon as Harry stumbled out of the Floo - where he had actually managed to stay upright, for once - he had been, unceremoniously, tackled to the ground by a hulking fur beast.
Of course… He had to have known that Harry was coming through. While Harry was saying goodbye to Mrs. Weasley, Ron, and a special goodbye to Ginny where he had pulled her behind the stairs for a quick, albeit passionate, kiss; his dad was escorting Remus and his mum through the floo to get past the blood wards.
"UGH!" Harry let out when Padfoot licked the side of his face and Harry was quick to push the side of his muzzle away with his hand. Padfoot let his face be pushed away and actually pulled back to somehow give him a wolfish-sort of grin while in his dog form.
Everyone was howling with laughter as Harry wiped at the slobber on his face with his sleeve.
"Alright, Sirius," His mum said, amusement evidently thick in her admonishing tone. "That's enough. Let Harry see his home for the first time…"
Thankfully, Padfoot actually listened, and got up off of Harry before transforming back to his human form. "Alright, but only because you asked so nicely, Evans…"
"Potter." His dad quickly corrected his best mate's use of his mum's maiden surname as he wound his arm around her waist.
Harry couldn't help but grin up at the ceiling as he listened to the bantering exchange. This is really what he had been missing in his life all of these years… a loving, bickering family.
Harry then leaned up onto his elbows and froze as he took in his surroundings…
The room was huge. The walls were stone, resembling Hogwarts very much in it's design. But it felt so different than the school. Built-in, square shelves were carved into the walls which held busts of what looked to be of past Potters, something that piqued Harry's interest very much.
Between every bust's mantle, stood tall bookcases that were placed evenly against the expanse of walls throughout the entire room. By the looks of the texts, the books looked ancient and Harry knew for sure that Hermione would be salivating over them.
The ceiling was enchanted, but didn't show the outdoor sky like Hogwarts did. Instead, it was spelled with twinkling, yellow lights that reminded Harry of fireflies in a field on a summer's night.
Large, floor-to-ceiling windows covered the expanse of the wall to the right, which looked out to the grounds and the night sky. Straight ahead of him was a large, grand staircase that led to the upstairs, which looked to be carved out of white stone. Harry could only describe the atmosphere as elegant… but cozy and warm.
It felt like home.
But that wasn't all… garlands stretched across the tops of the bookcases. Christmas reeves were hung above each of the busts. An enchanted toy train chugged and tooted it's little horn up on the mantle high on the wall, close to the ceiling, with smoke puffing up from the train's exhaust. Harry thought that the train looked suspiciously like the Hogwarts Express, due to it's scarlet colour. Though, instead of carrying students, it carried loads of tiny toy-presents in it's train cars.
Red poinsettias were everywhere, along with a few white lilies. They were on the bookcases, the end tables next to the comfy-looking couches, and even the mantles that the train was on.
"So…?" His mum asked as she interrupted his awe-struck gaze that had been busy taking everything in. "What do you think, Harry?"
Harry turned his wide eyes over to stare at his parents. They were both looking at him anxiously. His mum was wringing her hands together as a nervous sort of tick, while his dad was worrying his bottom lip with his teeth…
Harry stared at them a moment, confused, before the startling realization came to him. His parents… they were wanting his approval. Waiting for it.
"I-It's brilliant!" Harry exclaimed as he finally lifted himself up from the floor. Both of his parents sagged with relief as they smiled warmly at him.
Sirius laughed and hit James jovially on the back. "See? What did I tell you?"
James brushed Sirius' hand off of him and pushed his shoulder in return, before he turned to Harry excitedly. "And this isn't even all of it! Wait until you see your room!"
Harry was nodding eagerly at his dad, really looking forward to seeing his bedroom for the first time, before Remus put up a hand and stopped his dad from grabbing hold of his arm and tugging him towards the stairs. "Wait. We need to go out before it gets too dark, remember?"
Harry paused in his excitement to looked over at Remus, confused… All the while, Sirius and his dad had slow grins growing on their faces.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, "Where are we going? We only just got here."
Everyone exchanged glances as they smiled secretively to one another.
"You, Harry James Potter..." His mum began as she stepped forward to brush his hair off of his forehead before placing a kiss there. She pulled back to gaze up at him with warm, motherly, green eyes. "...are going out with your father and his ruffian friends, here-"
"Hey!" Sirius injected, affronted.
"-to find us the perfect Christmas tree. And when you bring it back, we will decorate it together. The muggle way. No magic involved whatsoever."
Harry's throat tightened as he stared up at her in wonder. "A-A real Christmas tree?"
Harry had never had a real Christmas tree, before. Aunt Petunia had always gotten a fake one, because she couldn't stand the mess of pine needles on her pristine floor… not that Harry had ever been allowed to participate in the Dursley's Christmases, anyway.
And sure, Hogwarts had a real Christmas tree that they put up every year in the Grand Hall, but Harry could hardly call that tree his own… a tree where he could put his presents under for his friends and family.
At his mother's nod of affirmation, excitement started to build from deep within Harry's chest. He turned to his dad and grabbed him by the wrist, tugging him impatiently. "Well, come on, then! We've got to find the perfect one before it gets too dark!"
His dad laughed at his sudden impatience. "Hold on, Harry. We've got to get the tools from the garage, first.
Harry stopped his tugging, looking back at his dad, perplexed. "Tools?"
His dad smiled warmly at him. "Yeah, for cutting down the tree."
"But wouldn't it just be easier to use magic?"
James nodded. "Yes, it would be. But some things are just better to do without magic. Your mum taught me that…"
His mum came up and kissed his dad on the cheek for that remark, which had his dad beaming. Harry couldn't help but smile as he watched the exchange. "Alright, then. The garage it is. Lead the way, dad."
….
"What about this one?" James asked him as he pointed a mitten-clad hand at a large, pine tree that was clad with snow.
Harry stopped his his trek, where he had been pulling a large, empty sled behind him, and looked at the tree in question.
"Hmmm…" Harry hummed as he studied the tree. It was nice, but there was a patch near the top that wasn't as full-looking with pine needles as the rest of the tree. "Not quite what we need. But close!"
His dad nodded as they continued walking.
They were now alone together, as Sirius and Remus had gone off in a different direction to see if they could find any good prospects any faster than they could. In truth, Harry was actually nervous to now be alone with his dad, because it meant that he had to ask the question that had been plaguing him ever since everything had happened…
But Harry wasn't looking forward to asking the question. Partly because he wasn't looking forward to the answer that his dad could potentially give.
Regardless, it had to be asked. Harry took a deep, shuddering breath as he worked himself up to take the plunge.
"Dad…?"
"Yeah?" His dad responded without looking over at him, as his eyes scanned the tree-line.
Harry swallowed, finding that he no longer had the nerve to say anything after all. At his silence, his dad finally looked over at him, his eyes scanning Harry's form before a smirk found its way onto his lips. "What, are you getting cold, Harry? Did your mum's excessive bundling fail?"
Harry scowled at his father, sending him a sour look, which James could only laugh at. Before they had gone out, his mum had made him put on a hat, mittens, scarf, two sweaters, and a muggle winter coat on top of it all. It had James, Sirius, and Remus taking the mickey out of him their entire time outdoors, asking him constantly if he was cold.
"You know very well that I'm sweating like a Hippogriff underneath all of this!" Harry complained as he gestured wildly at the many layers of fabric he was currently wearing, which made him look like a bloated marshmallow.
His dad chuckled and stopped his walking and held out his hand in offering. "Here, hand me your coat and take off those sweaters underneath."
Harry nodded gratefully as he unzipped his jacket and handed it to his dad. His dad took it and Harry immediately whipped the two sweaters over his head where the welcome chill of the cold air met his overheated skin.
Harry sighed in relief and didn't immediately ask his dad for his jacket back.
His dad chuckled. "Better?"
Harry closed his eyes and basked in his lowering temperature. "Much."
"Good. Now you can tell me what it was that you really wanted to talk to me about."
Harry's eyes snapped open to meet the hazel gaze of his father's. Immediately, Harry opened his mouth to object, though no noise came out. He closed his mouth again as he let out a sigh. There really was no use in denying it.
"Promise you won't be mad?" Harry asked in a quiet voice as he looked down at his snow-clad boots.
James frowned. "Harry… After all that we've been through, I don't think that I could ever, truly, be mad at you. Sure, there may be times where I could get frustrated, but I do think that it's impossible for me to actually get angry with you."
Harry peeked a look up at his dad only to find true sincerity gazed back at him. "R-Really?"
James nodded before he smiled slightly. "Now, that's not an invitation for you to go out in get into loads of trouble. Because if you tell your mum that I encouraged that, I will deny it all and blame it all on you… That is, unless you ask me to join you in getting into trouble. Because in that case, us Marauders gotta stick together."
Emotion swelled in the pit of Harry's stomach at hearing the words that had just come from his father's mouth as he nodded in agreement. "That's good to know."
Harry suddenly felt loads better about asking what he needed to ask his dad, so he no longer hesitated. "And as for what I wanted to talk to you about, I wanted to ask you about the Dursleys."
James' eyebrows went high in surprise before they lowered in a glowering expression. "Oh."
His dad was angry. But Harry knew that it wasn't himself that he was angry at. He was angry at the mere reminder of the relatives that had abused his only son.
"Yeah. I just… you don't have to give me any details or anything, but I just need to know what it was that you did to them when you went to Privet Drive."
It was a question that had been nagging Harry ever since his parents had went off to confront them. And he found that he had to know what had become of his relatives. Not because he was at all concerned about his aunt and uncle. But because he didn't very much like the idea of his parents stooping down to their level. That they used magic in the same way that Death Eaters may use it.
Whatever answer his dad gave, Harry promised himself that his love for his family wouldn't change in the slightest. But he also knew that if the answer happened to be something that he didn't like, he wouldn't be able to stave off his disappointment.
James' expression softened as he noticed the worried expression his son had. "You really are a good person, Harry… but it's not at all what you think. Your mum, Sirius, Remus, and I didn't do anything to physically harm the Dursleys. We performed a few simple spells that will just so happen to leave a lasting impact on all of the Dursleys…"
Harry waited… he knew that he had said that his dad didn't have to give any details, but he found his curiosity overwhelming. "Like?"
His dad chuckled darkly for a moment. "It was your mum's idea. Brilliant as ever, I'd say. Because despite everything that Petunia has done to you, she is still your mum's sister… So, she did the only thing that she could that would satisfy her lust for revenge but also keep her morality in tact."
James paused and looked up at Harry with an expressionless gaze. "We first stripped the protection that Dumbledore had set around Privet Drive. Your mum was able to do that since it had been her sacrifice that had made the protection possible in the first place. I would gander a guess and say that the Dursleys are just about as far from Privet Drive as they could get after they realized how much protection your presence had actually offered them throughout the years. The next thing that we did was curse them. They will now have the most realistic, terrible nightmares that they've ever had…"
Harry, his attention rapt on his father, could only breathe his next question. "Nightmares of what?"
His dad's eyes turned sad, his shoulders sagging in what looked to be defeat. "Nightmares of all the terrible things that you have been through. They will feel everything that you have ever felt when they abused you. All that you felt when Voldemort attacked you. The feeling of Dementors… Everything. And they won't go away until they feel genuine remorse for everything that they have ever done. Which, if they don't sooner than later, the nightmares may just drive them mad. It's now up to them for what their fate on that will be."
Harry remained frozen for another moment longer before he visibly sagged in relief. Yes, his family had punished the Dursleys but the punishment was essentially a choice. If the Dursleys couldn't find it in their hearts to become better people, then they deserved the fate that they got.
Harry was only glad that his parents hadn't lost their souls in the process.
Grinning at his father, Harry reached out and grabbed for his coat again before putting it on. "Thanks for telling me. I was going a bit mad myself from not knowing."
His dad chuckled. "Feared the worst?"
Harry hesitated before he nodded, ashamed that he could ever think that his family would resort to the same magic that Death Eaters would use.
"After learning from your example from years of watching you from Limbo, Harry, we just know that we wanted to make you proud to call us your parents. Using dark magic on the Dursleys wouldn't have done anything to change what happened, nor would it make us feel any better. In fact, if we had used the Killing Curse on the Dursleys, I think that all of us would be positively miserable, right now."
Harry nodded in agreement as they continued on their trek through the snow. "Can't be miserable on Christmas, now can we?"
James chuckled. "No. We can't."
They both chuckled a bit at that before Harry stopped and held out his arm to stop his father from moving any further. "Wait!"
The tree was perfect. It was easily eight feet tall with pine needles so thick, Harry had a difficult time seeing the trunk of the tree within. "That's the one. That's our Christmas tree."
…
"Have another biscuit, Harry," His mum urged, hanging another ornament on the tree as she nodded her head at the full plate that had an assortment of Christmas biscuits.
Harry nodded with a grin, going for the plate. He didn't need to be told twice.
Remus chuckled from his place on the floor, where he was currently threading wire through the ornament's hanging holes. "At this rate, you're going to get him fat, Lily."
Lily sent Remus a very motherly sort of glare.
"He needs the extra weight, skin, and bones, he is." She said, before she looked over at Harry was an encouraging smile. "Go ahead, Harry. Take two at the very least."
Harry couldn't help but laugh as he saluted his mother's command. "Right away."
Sirius then snuck over to take a look at what was on the plate, himself. Harry held it up to him in offering as crumbs fell onto his sweater as he chewed.
His dad noticed Sirius' interest in the biscuits and let out a boisterous laugh. "Sirius, on the other hand, really needs to watch his figure…"
Sirius froze, the biscuit half-way to his open mouth before he scoffed at his best mate. "I'm at the ripe, young age of twenty-one, thank you very much. I'm in the best shape that I'll ever be in. Besides, if I happen to get fat, at least I'll die a very happy man."
They all laughed as Sirius dramatically shoved the entire biscuit into his mouth.
It was only a few minutes later when his mum placed the last ornament onto the tree. "There. Only one thing left to do, now…"
She turned to the last item in the box to pull out a star, which she held out to his dad in offering. "James, would you do the honours?"
James grinned from his spot on the floor, as he shot up to his feet. "I'd be happy to, Love."
His dad sauntered over and grabbed the star from her hands just as he leaned down to place a tender kiss onto her lips. Harry smiled slightly at that.
James pulled away from the kiss and approached the Christmas tree, and took out his wand. "WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA!"
James let go of the star in his hands and they all watched as it floated up into the air, James' wand directing it in the direction towards the top of the tree. It was placed gracefully at the very top before his dad shot another spell that made the star, and the rest of the tree, shimmer, and glow.
Harry gasped and his heart swelled at the sight. It really was the best Christmas tree that he could have asked for. Better than the ones that he imagined and dreamed about when he was young.
"What do you think, Harry?" Sirius asked him from his seat by the fireplace. He now had a glass of Firewhisky on the rocks nestled in his hand.
Harry beamed at his Godfather. "I think that it finally feels like Christmas."
…
It was later, in Harry's bedroom, when Harry finally found a moment alone to think over the events of the day. It was crazy to think that just that morning he had Ginny in his bed at Hogwarts, her shirt missing and her white bra on display to his eager gaze…
He couldn't wait to pick up where they had left off, which very well might be tomorrow night, the first night that the Weasley's would be joining them for the Christmas Hols.
His imagination went wild with the possibilities of what he and Ginny would get up to in this very room… Could it be possible that they would lose their virginities in this very bed?
At the thought of his room, Harry looked around and grinned. It was bloody brilliant. He had a four poster bed, various Quidditch posters that scattered the walls, as well as a closet full of clothes that actually fit him. It seems that his parents had been busy while he had been away at school.
Either way, it wasn't too overbearing with the posters on the wall for it to seem like too much a little kid's room. The colours on the wall were neutral enough. And Harry knew that he wouldn't be embarrassed having Ginny in here with him, getting up to all of the stuff they were bound to get up in.
Harry worried his bottom lip with his teeth as he felt his cock grow to half mast.
He couldn't wait until tomorrow night.
At that thought, he suddenly started as he thought on how Ginny didn't know about his desire for her to come to his bedroom or even which bedroom was his…
Immediately, Harry shot up out of his bed and made his way to the study desk that was in the corner of his bedroom. There was already a pile of cut parchment paper out as well as a quill with never-drying ink. His parents really had thought of everything.
Harry sat down at the desk, took the quill into his hand, and tapped the feather against his lip as he thought on what it was that he wanted to say. He had to make this sound right… he couldn't very well come across as a smarmy wanker when she read this letter.
Harry thought for another moment, before he let out a shuddering sigh and put the tip of his quill to the paper.
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Ginny,
We may not have much time to talk alone with everyone around and I definitely don't want anyone to overhear me when I say this:
I can't stop thinking about what happened in my dorm room before we left Hogwarts. It's been driving me mad, remembering how you looked. The way that we kissed…
I was bloody going to pummel Ron for interrupting us the way that he did. Trust me what I say, I would have rather missed the train and spent more time with you.
That being said, if you feel the same, then come to my room tonight. My mum and dad have already shown me which rooms each of you is going to be staying in, and my room is going to be three rooms down the hall to the right from the one you'll be staying in. I'll put a wrapping bow on the floor outside my door, just so you know it's the right one.
I'll be waiting,
Harry
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Harry read over the letter, anxiously looking over the words to find anything that made him sound like too much of a randy bugger. And reading it over, it made him even more nervous at the thought of Ginny reading these exact words. They had never come right out and said anything about how they affected one another sexually. Harry was taking a great leap of faith that Ginny would be just as excited as he was when it came to furthering that aspect of their relationship.
But, overall, Harry had been honest in the letter. He was telling her exactly how he felt. Letting her know how much she affected him.
The next move was hers after that.
Harry waited for the ink to dry on the paper before he folded it up until it was a tiny square. He would hand it to her when no one was looking when she arrived tomorrow.
….
"James! Honestly! Put on something more presentable than that!" His mum yelled at him as she bustled around the kitchen in a panic. His mum had been honest when she had told Mrs. Weasley that she wasn't all that experienced in the kitchen. Remus was trying his best to help her, but he was just as clueless as she was when it came to roasting the Christmas turkey.
His dad looked down at sweater he was currently wearing. It had a picture of what Harry recognized to be Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, though his dad was adamant in saying that it was actually a representation of Prongs and that he didn't even know who Rudolph was. "What do you mean, Lily? This sweater is perfect! It's literally screams me! Plus, he's wearing a Christmas hat! Fits the occasion perfectly."
Harry had to hide his snicker as he took another bite of his toast. He was eating breakfast, though from how late Harry slept in, it was more like a late lunch. His mum turned to look at his dad, and looked about to argue, when her tempus alarm went off and she let out a great gasp as she turned towards the oven.
"We've got the baste the turkey!"
James grinned triumphantly as he effectively won the argument by default, before he sat down at the table across from Harry. "So, Harry, excited to see Ginny?"
Harry nearly choked on the sudden cough as toasted crumbs got caught in the back of his throat.
Panic rampaged through his mind. Did his dad know? Did he guess the plans that Harry had made for tonight with Ginny?
But his dad wasn't looking at him with any amount of sly suspicion. Instead, he looked at him in concern as he pushed forward a cup of pumpkin juice in front of Harry. Harry took the cup gratefully, drinking away the crumbs that were still lodged in the back of his throat.
When Harry finally felt that he could breathe, he nodded his head shakily at his dad. "Yes. I'm always happy to see her."
His dad eyed him for a long moment and Harry tried not to squirm under the gaze.
"Ah…" Sirius piped up from the end of the table, his head hidden behind the newspaper he was reading. Both Harry and James' heads whipped over to him. "Young love… So innocent and pure."
Sirius folded his newspaper and sent a smirk over Harry's way. Harry immediately turned his attention back to his plate, his face flaming. Oh, yeah, his Godfather definitely had his suspicions…
Harry then shoved the rest of his toast into his mouth and stood abruptly from his seat. "Whell, I behher goh geh drehssed mhyshelhf," Harry said, his mouth full.
"Don't speak with your mouth full, dear," His mum admonished, distractedly, from her place by the stove as Harry tried not to look as though he were rushing out of there.
"Yeah, Harry," Sirius commented, jovially. "It's not a very attractive quality. Imagine what Ginny would think."
Harry practically sprinted for the stairs to get away from him. It seemed as though he would have to avoid his Godfather for the day, lest he gives away Harry's plans to anyone with his teasing.
….
It was only an hour later when Harry was pacing by the fireplace, waiting for the Floo to roar to life. He was now dressed in his own Christmas sweater. His dad was adamant that Christmas should not be a classy affair and that Harry had to join his ranks in wearing a sweater. Because, in his father's words, "She can't get mad at me if you wear one, too."
Harry rolled his eyes as he looked down at the green sweater he was currently wearing. It had a snowflake and reindeer pattern that was repeated in rows all across it. Oh yeah… this was sure to get Ginny into his bed tonight…
But then again, Ginny has seen Harry in Dudley's overgrown hand-me-downs, so it could be a lot worse. At least the sweater fit properly.
Just then, the Floo roared to life, and his dad fell out of it with the twins. Harry hadn't even had time to react before he was plowed over by Fred and George on the floor. His dad took a moment to laugh soundly at the situation that he found himself in before he popped back through the Floo to get the next batch of Weasleys.
"Ughhhh…" Harry groaned, their combined weight still on top of him.
"Oh, sorry 'bout that-"
"-Harry. But, we must say-"
"-that it's what you deserve-"
"-and more that is to come." The twins grinned down at him evilly as they got up from on top of him. Harry sat up and rested on his elbows as the twins towered over him. "What are you two talking about?"
"The letter that you sent us at the beginning of term," Fred explained, sharing a look with George. "At first, it didn't make much sense, but-"
"-after the article of you snogging our baby sister came out, it began to make a lot more sense," George finished.
The blood drained from Harry's face. He had completely forgotten about the letter he had sent to Fred and George when he got plastered at the Gryffindor victory party…
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"Gred and Feorge,
Well, it's official! I'm going to be a Weasley. And not just an honourary one. Do you think that Ginny would adopt me into the family?
Did I ever thank you two for the Marauder's Map? Dad says that he wants to meet you two.
Malfoy is a git who wants my woman. Dean Thomas, too.
Shhh, don't tell!
Luna won't stop talking about the clouds… or snogging Neville. And Dobby makes the best muffins that can lead to cuddles in the girl's dormitories.
I've decided that I want to get married. Yeah… don't kill me. It's my bloody choice! Not yours! Ron is alright with it, and you two bloody well better be, too! It's best that you just accept it and move on. Because if you don't, I will make the two of you regret it. Glowing eyes and all…
Don't think that I'm not bloody serious! Or you'll get what's coming to you!
Harry"
.
How in the name of Merlin had he forgotten?! They had practically declared a prank war on him!
"I can explain that!" Harry said in a rush as he gazed up at their tall, standing forms. "You see, I was drunk when I sent that, and-"
"And you didn't end up in the girl's dormitories for cuddles?" George asked with a quirked eyebrow.
Harry's mouth fell open but he found that no sound could come out.
But, luckily, he was saved from having to answer by the arrival of his dad with Ron and Ginny through the flames of the Floo.
Once Ginny was on steady feet, her eyes immediately scanned the area with awe in her gorgeous eyes. Harry lost his breath as he gazed at her. She wore a burgundy red, long-sleeved dress and had her long hair in a messy braid that was draped over her shoulder. Even covered in Floo soot, she was the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on.
Her gaze finally landed on his position on the floor, with her twin brothers standing menacingly over him. Her eyes narrowed at her brothers as she strode forward to help Harry off of the floor. "What did you two do to him?!"
"Nothing," They both said together in suspicious innocence as they rocked back on their heels and stepped out of the way.
Harry took Ginny's hand gratefully as she helped him up off of the floor. Ginny surveyed his face for a moment before she turned her fierce gaze to her brothers. "You have to know already that I don't believe that in the slightest."
Harry squeezed their connected hands and Ginny's gaze snapped back to his. "It's nothing, Gin. They were just reminding me that they had declared war on me, is all."
Ginny's eyes widened in realization as she remembered.
Ron looked on from his place by the Floo, his expression extremely confused. "Declared war? What do you mean, mate? What'd you do?"
Harry's face reddened as everyone was now looking at him. Fred and George smirked at him, wondering if Harry would let Ron in on his little secret; knowing full-well that Ron would join the twins side if he found out that Harry had gone to visit Ginny in the Girl's Dormitory… even if they hadn't done anything sexual yet.
Not even Ginny knew what it was that he had written in the letter to the twins. Only that he had written something to them that had set them off enough to declare war.
So, Harry did the only thing that he could do. He merely swallowed and shook his head.
The Floo roared to life, once again, as James brought Mr. and Mrs. Weasley through the Floo. They were the last Weasley's to arrive, as Bill had to work, Charlie was in Romania, and Percy was still estranged with his family.
His mum, Sirius, and Remus came out from the kitchen at last, and his mum let out a cry of relief as soon as she saw Mrs. Weasley, "Thank Merlin! Molly, I think that I am close to burning the gravy!"
A very pleased look came over Mrs. Weasley's face as she was asked for help in the kitchen. She quickly took off her cloak, cast a cleaning charm on all of them to get rid of the soot, and rushed forward to the kitchen.
….
As soon as Mrs. Weasley and his mum disappeared to save the dinner, the younger Weasleys and Harry had come to the unspoken agreement not to mention the conversation that they had been having before the adults arrived in the room.
Ron had immediately challenged everyone to a game of exploding snap, which Sirius and his dad eagerly accepted.
They played for about half an hour, Harry feeling slightly on edge, but not nearly as much as before. Honestly, what could the twins do to him, really? This wasn't even their home. This was his territory. Whatever they did, Harry was sure he could just brush off with a good laugh.
At that thought, Harry finally let himself relax, thinking about the folded note for Ginny that was burning a hole in his pocket.
He hadn't had the chance to discreetly hand her the note, yet. He would have to make sure that he sat next to her at dinner and hand her the note underneath the table. He trusted that Ginny would know not to read it until she was alone.
It was a moment later, when his mum and Mrs. Weasley came out of the kitchen, looking mightily pleased with themselves. "Dinner's ready."
His dad, Sirius, and the twins all shot up from their seats, running for the dining room attached to the kitchen.
As Harry, Ginny, and Ron made their way forward as well, Ron stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. Ginny looked back at them curiously but continued making her way to the dining room.
"What's up, mate?" Harry asked him.
Ron had a very serious look on his face. "What did you do to the twins? I'll help you fend them off if you want. I have plenty of practice."
Harry's eyes widened at the question. "Er, well, it had something to do with the article that was printed about Ginny and I. And thanks, but I think I can handle it."
Ron nodded in acceptance and patted Harry on the back. "Alright, mate. Now, let's go eat! I'm starving!"
Harry couldn't help but chuckle at his best mate's never-ending appetite, as they made their way to the dining room together.
But as soon as they passed by one of the doors together, they both tried to take a step forward and hit an invisible barrier, preventing them from stepping forward.
"Whatcha!" Ron cried out as he slammed face first into the invisible barrier. They both bounced back from the impact. Harry put his hand up to the barrier and tried to push through it.
It didn't budge.
"What'd you do?!" Ron asked him.
Harry looked over at Ron, just as perplexed as he was. "I didn't do anything!"
It was just like their second year when they could get through the barrier to the Platform 9 ¾…
Both Harry and Ron looked at each other for one lingering moment, before yelling out,
"HELP!"
The scraping of chairs on the floor and the stampede of feet could be heard from the other room. And soon, everyone was in the doorway, watching them.
"What is it?!" His mum cried out, panicked.
Before Harry or Ron could respond to explain the situation they found themselves in, the twins burst out into laughter. George was pointing his finger at the two of them, laughing, while Fred was bent over clutching his stomach, wheezing for breath.
"I-I can't believe that you got-got stuck with RON!" They both cried.
Everyone looked at them as though they had gone completely barmy.
The realization that they had pulled one of their pranks dawned on Mrs. Weasley's face first, as an angry red started to flush over her cheek. "FRED AND GEORGE WEASLEY! WHAT IN THE NAME OF MERLIN DID YOU DO?!"
Fred and George calmed down just enough to begin to explain the situation. "L-Look up!"
They all did, including Ron and Harry… only to find that they were firmly set underneath a mistletoe that hadn't been there before the Weasleys had arrived…
As soon as they saw it, everyone's eyes widened in realization, before his dad, Sirius, Remus, the twins, and even his mum, Ginny and Mr. Weasley burst into laughter.
Harry and Ron watched them laugh for a moment before Ron let out an impatient grunt of a noise. "Very funny, Fred and George. Now, let us go."
Fred shook his head slowly as an evil grin split his face. "No can do, little brother. We've spelled it so the only way you can leave from underneath the mistletoe is to kiss the person you are stuck under with."
Harry and Ron's mouth dropped open in horror as a new round of laughter started over.
"Brilliant!" Sirius cried out in appreciation of such a good prank. His dad patted the twins on the back in congratulations.
"D-Dad!" Harry cried out in complaint. "You're supposed to be on my side!"
His dad shrugged and give Harry an unapologetic smile. "What? It won't kill you to give Ron a little peck. I see no harm…"
Mrs. Weasley was the only one who hadn't laughed. In fact, she looked extremely embarrassed. "Lily, I'm so sorry about these two. I'll have a firm talk with them, later."
His mum waved her hand at the apology. "It's no trouble, Molly. James is right. It's just a harmless prank."
Mrs. Weasley didn't look like she agreed. "Well, the food is getting cold…"
The twins perked up at that and rushed back into the dining room to their nice, hot meal. Nearly everyone followed their lead, laughing at the expense of Harry and Ron.
That is until only Ginny remained. She quirked an eyebrow at Ron as she crossed her arms. "Trying to steal my boyfriend, Ron?"
"Ginny!" Ron cried as he reached for the first item he could get his hands on, which was a pillow from the chair next to them. He threw it at her, and Ginny squealed as she dodged out of the way, laughing all the way as she made her way back to the table… leaving Harry and Ron alone.
They stood there for fifteen minutes. Not talking. As they listened to the sounds of scraping silverware against plates and the boisterous chatter from the other room.
But the most torturous thing was the delicious smells that emulated from the other room. It made Harry's mouth water as he thought on all of the amazing food he was missing out on.
Ron let out a frustrated grunt, and Harry turned to look at him, questions in his eyes.
"Bloody hell. Let's just get this bloody over and done with while we don't have an audience!"
Harry nearly choked, his eyes widening in disbelief as he stared at his best mate. "B-But they'll know that we-that we…!"
"I don't bloody care at the moment! I'm bloody well starving, Harry!"
Harry's mouth opened and closed wordlessly as he gaped at his best mate. Before sense and reason came to him, and Harry bit his lip in consideration. "Just-Just promise that we'll never speak of this again!"
Ron scoffed, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. "You kidding? I'm taking this to the grave. And anyone who will bring it up, I'm going to deny everything to the point where they'll think they've gone bloody mad and dreamt the whole thing up."
Harry nodded firmly in agreement, revealing that he felt, and would do, the same. "So just one peck and it's done and over with…"
Ron nodded, in a way that said that he was trying to reassure himself of that. "Yeah… just one peck. It won't be so bad. We're just making it out to be bigger than it really is."
Harry nodded, still feeling as though they should bloody well put this off for as long as they could. It was as he was contemplating this when the unexpected happened…
Ron leaned in and planted one on him.
Hard.
It had to be the shortest, most brutal kiss Harry had to have ever received.
But after it was done, Ron stepped back, his face flaming as deep as Harry's own cheeks felt.
"Not a word." Ron reminded him, fiercely, before he turned and abruptly walked away and out of the room and into the dining room.
Harry stared after him in shock. Before it dawned on him that by Ron's exit, he could leave the vicinity of the mistletoe, as well.
He bolted out of there, in the opposite direction of Ron.
He ran all the way up the stairs to the bathroom, where he desperately searched for his toothbrush in the medicine cabinet. Once he found it, he cried out in relief and scrubbed his mouth nearly five times.
Once he was satisfied that he had washed all of the 'Ron' germs out of his mouth, Harry decided that it was time to face his embarrassment in exchange for food…
He made his way downstairs, made sure to stay as far away from the mistletoe as possible, and slowly walked into the dining hall, approaching with caution and a Weasley-red face.
As soon as Sirius noticed his presence, he let out a long whistle.
Harry fought off the urge to flip him the bird.
Instead, he ignored everyone's jibes and sat in the open seat next to Ginny, looking down at his empty plate in complete mortification.
It was then that he felt a warm hand thread through his own and the little hairs on his neck stand up straight as Ginny leaned in close to his side to whisper in his ear. "I've already forgotten that it ever happened."
Harry's gaze snapped over to look at her as she pulled away. She winked at him, and Harry found his stiff shoulders relaxing as he smiled gratefully at her.
Ginny smiled back as she reached for the platter of turkey and started to dish some onto his plate for him. "We cast a charm to make sure that it was still hot for you."
Harry nodded as he watched as she dished more of the food onto his plate. She did all of it one-handed, as her other was still threaded together with his underneath the table.
Which reminded him…
Harry discreetly dug his fingers from his other hand into his pocket, making sure that no one was paying attention to his subtle actions.
Once he got the folded up piece of parchment paper, Harry unthreaded his hand with Ginny and placed the note in her open palm.
Ginny's face immediately turned to face him. But Harry stubbornly refused to look at her in that moment. Wanting to come across as discreet.
Ginny looked at him for another moment longer, before she folded her hand around the note and pulled her upward-faced hand off from his thigh.
Harry was desperately trying not to hyperventilate. Trying to come across as normal.
There was no taking it back now. He had put the offer out there.
And it was now all up to her…
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A/N: What do you think Ginny will decide, hmm? Let me know all of your thoughts in a review! :)
Either way, I don't think that I can avoid the lemon for much longer. I know that a lot of you keep asking if I even intend to add lemon to this story, and the answer is yes. There is going to be quite the bit of descriptive forms of sex coming up soon.
(BTW, if you read the Author's Note at the top, I'm not really nine years old. It's just a meme. And I know that it sucks when people have to explain memes to other people, but I just wanted to calm the concerns of any reader out there that thinks that a nine-year-old is writing this rather sexually graphic story.)
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